26 Nov 10
Where in the world is Nellie?

MEMBER 353 writes:

"We picked up a new sole trader this year. His wife had not lodged a return since she can't remember when, as she had not worked during her married life, and investment income did not exceed the taxable threshold in any year. In years gone by, that would have been the end of it. But not now Nellie!! We received, over the course of the last week, 8 x lodgment reminders, one for each year from 2001 to 2008. We rang our trusted friends at the ATO, and explained that our client was not required to lodge a tax return in any of those years. In years gone by, that would have been the end of it. But not now Nellie!! We received this week - you guessed it - one each day - failure to lodge penalties for 2007 and 2008 in the sum of $550 each. I would like to think that that would be the end of it, but 2001 - 2007 notices must surely follow. Our office staff will spend time on the phone, and the Portal (if it works), lodging the requisite RNR forms and then preparing and lodging applications for remission of penalty. I'd like to send an account to someone, but I don't have Nellie's address - can anyone assist??"